| Fadhil Yunus |
DPMM FC Head Coach Adrian Pennock heaped praise on versatile player Yura Indera Putera after producing the best performance under his coaching reign during the 2-1 home win against Tampines Rovers FC in the AIA Singapore Premier League recently.
Yura’s individual performance has been taken notice after perfecting his role on quelling the renowned threat of the Stags, which bodes the team’s preparations well ahead of a league clash against Balestier Khalsa at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore tonight.
“I thought that was his best game for us (during the Tampines win). We defend from the front and the work rate of the front two as well was good,” said Pennock in a recent interview with the Weekend Bulletin at the Jerudong Mini Stadium.
Pennock also highlighted the contributions of the substitutes for working hard when called upon and that the players are set up well on the field.
DPMM FC goalkeeper Wardun Yussof has also been pivotal to the club’s progress, having kept three clean sheets this season, and Pennock took notice of his experience in the team.
“Obviously with Wardun’s experience behind in goal, the boys worked very hard. The midfield players don’t stop running.”
Nevertheless, Pennock indicated that there is still room for improvement, adding that they will gradually improve as the season progresses.
“My only complaint of the game is we could have kept the ball better. There were times when we were in really good positions, but we forced the ball over the top where we could just done a five- or 10-yard pass to someone’s feet. And we would have been in a better area.
“That’s something we’ve got to work on. We’re nowhere near finished. We can sprint through, that’s for sure.”
The former Gillingham manager added, “We will keep improving because we got to if we want to do well.”
Pennock agreed that the trio of Albirex Niigata (S), Home United and Tampines Rovers FC are the leading teams in the Singapore Premier League and is content that his team is away from the spotlight.
He said, “I still think that they are the best three in the league. Before the season, everybody is talking about those three teams. We were not even talked about, which is great and fantastic.
“I’m just going to keep things on the low key and keep playing every game as it comes. Hopefully come the end of the season, we will be surprising a few people.”